Systems and methods for providing a separate interest rate for an individual transaction

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for providing a separate interest rate for an individual transaction are disclosed. A system may provide a service associated with a account having an account balance and an associated first interest rate. The system may include a service device having one or more memory devices storing instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform a separate interest rate service process. The process may include providing a separate interest rate service offer to a client device and receiving a separate interest rate selection from the client device. The process may also include determining a selected portion of the account balance corresponding to an amount to which a second interest rate, different from the first interest rate, is to be applied based on the separate interest rate selection.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This disclosure claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/048,099 filed on Sep. 9, 2014, and entitled“Systems and Methods for Providing a Separate Interest Rate for anIndividual Transaction.” The aforementioned application is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments generally relate to systems and methodsparticularly adapted to provide a service based on communication betweenspecifically-configured devices, and more particularly, systems andmethods for providing separate interest rates for individualtransactions.

BACKGROUND

Financial service providers often provide customers with promotionalbenefits associated with financial accounts and/or financial accountproducts. For example, a customer that opens a new credit card accountmay receive a promotional benefit of a low interest rate for a setperiod of time (e.g., 0% for 12 months). The customer may use the creditcard account while the financial service provider maintains a balance ofthe account by applying the low interest rate until the period of timeexpires. After the period of time expires, a higher interest rate istypically applied.

While these promotional benefits may be appealing to customers,customers sometimes must complete complicated or impractical tasks toreceive them. For example, because promotional benefits may be costly toa financial service provider, they may be less likely to offer themand/or make it harder for customers to obtain the benefits. Further,opening a new financial account can be a complicated process capable ofdirectly and indirectly impacting the customer's financial status (e.g.,applying for credit can impact a customer's credit score). Other commonscenarios in which a customer may receive a promotional benefit are alsounappealing (e.g., receiving a benefit for transferring a balance mayhave an associated fee).

Current computing systems and supporting infrastructures areill-equipped to provide timely, customized promotional benefits, such asseparate interest rates for individual transactions. Thus, there existsa need for improved systems and methods for providing promotionalbenefits associated with a financial account to a customer.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods that enable aservice provider to offer a customer a separate interest rate for anindividual transaction and provide the customer with a service thatincludes maintaining separate balances within one account to apply theseparate interest rate.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system forproviding a service associated with an account having an account balanceand an associated first interest rate. The system may include a servicedevice configured to modify the account based on communication with aclient device. The service device may include one or more memory devicesstoring instructions, and one or more processors configured to executethe instructions to provide a separate interest rate service offer to aclient device, and receive a separate interest rate selection from theclient device. The one or more processors may be further configured toexecute the instructions to determine, by the one or more processers, aselected portion of the account balance corresponding to an amount towhich a second interest rate, different from the first interest rate, isto be applied based on the separate interest rate selection.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to acomputer-implemented method for providing a financial service associatedwith a financial account having an account balance and an associatedfirst interest rate. The process may include providing, by a servicedevice, a separate interest rate service offer to a client device, andreceiving, at the service device, a customer-selected transaction fromthe client device. The process may also include determining, by theservice device, a selected portion of the account balance based on anamount of the customer-selected transaction, wherein a remainder portionof the account balance is a first balance and the selected portion is asecond balance. The process may further include applying the firstinterest rate to the first balance, and applying a second interest rateto the second balance.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a computingdevice for configuring a financial account having an account balance andan associated first interest rate. The computing device may include oneor more memory devices storing software instructions and a userinterface. The computing device may also include one or more processorsconfigured to execute the software instructions to provide, by the userinterface, financial account information including a plurality oftransactions, and receive a selection of one of the plurality oftransactions. The one or more processors may be further configured toexecute the software instructions to transmit the selection to afinancial service provider device. The selection may indicate an amountto which a second interest rate, different from the first interest rate,is to be applied by a financial service provider device.

Although disclosed embodiments are discussed primarily in the context ofmobile devices and software instructions that are executed by thosemobile devices, other implementations are contemplated. For example,disclosed embodiments may include software instructions that areexecuted by a computing system, such as embedded systems or otherdedicated hardware computing devices configured to perform disclosedembodiments. Thus, systems or components that execute softwareinstructions to perform one or more operations consistent with thedisclosed embodiments may be particularly configured to perform the oneor more particular operations consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and,together with the description, serve to explain the disclosedembodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system, consistent withdisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary server, consistent withdisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing device, consistentwith disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary financial account managementprocess, consistent with disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary offer activation process,consistent with disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary data structure associated with an exemplaryseparate interest rate service offer, consistent with disclosedembodiments;

FIG. 7A is block diagram of an exemplary data structure associated witha financial account before a separate interest rate service offer isactivated, consistent with disclosed embodiments; and

FIG. 7B is an exemplary data structure associated with a financialaccount after a separate interest rate service offer is activated,consistent with disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the disclosed embodiments,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverconvenient, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Typically, all purchases that are made using a credit-type financialaccount (e.g., a credit card account) are added to an account balance.Periodically, an amount of interest to be charged to the customer inconnection with the credit provided may be calculated based on anaccount balance at the time and an interest rate associated with thefinancial account. Disclosed embodiments include systems and methodsthat allow there to be separate balances on one financial account forthe purposes of applying separate interest rates to the separatebalances. For example, in one embodiment, a first interest rate may beapplied to an amount associated with one or more individualtransactions, while a second interest rate may be applied to an amountassociated with the remainder of the total account balance. In this way,a separate interest rate (e.g., a promotional interest rate that isfavorable to the customer) may be applied to an individual transaction,potentially reducing a total interest amount that a customer mayotherwise be charged and otherwise providing the customer with greaterflexibility to use one financial account for many different purchases.

In addition, disclosed embodiments allow a financial service provider toprovide an offer for a separate interest rate service to a customer. Forexample, a financial service provider may offer customers the option toapply an interest rate that is lower than the interest rate otherwiseassociated with the customer's financial account to an amount associatedwith a selected individual transaction. In one embodiment, the customermay activate the offer (e.g., via a client device) by selecting anindividual transaction (e.g., a previously-completed transaction) forapplication of the separate interest rate service. In some embodiments,the customer may select a future transaction for which the offer willautomatically be activated after the selected future transaction iscompleted. For example, the customer may select the next transactionthat they complete or the next transaction that meets certain criteria(e.g., next transaction at a particular merchant).

In another example, the customer selection may include acceptance of anoffer that provides criteria for eligible transactions. For example, anoffer may indicate that all transactions at a particular merchant areeligible for the separate interest rate, and the customer may provide aselection that accepts the offer. Thereafter, the financial serviceprovider may determine that a customer completed a transaction at theparticular merchant, and take steps to apply the separate interest rateto that transaction (or a group of transactions completed with thatmerchant).

In another embodiment, the customer may select to activate an offer inthe process of completing a transaction. For example, a financialservice provider may provide an offer as a step during an onlinecheckout process, which the customer may choose to accept and haveapplied to the transaction that is completed online.

After a customer accepts a separate interest rate offer, a financialservice provider (e.g., via a financial service provider device) maygenerate data structures for separating a balance associated with aselected individual transaction from a remainder of the account balancefor the purposes of applying interest rate charges. The financialservice provider may further maintain the data structures separating thebalances such that separate interest rates are applied at theappropriate time to the separate balances in order to calculate interestcharged to the customer. In some instances, the separate interest ratemay expire, and the financial service provider may combine the separatebalances into one balance with one associated interest rate.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system 100 for performingone or more operations consistent with the disclosed embodiments. In oneembodiment, system 100 may include a financial service provider device110, client device 120, merchant device 130, and network 140. Thecomponents and arrangement of the components included in system 100 mayvary. Thus, system 100 may further include other components that performor assist in the performance of one or more processes consistent withthe disclosed embodiments.

Financial service provider device 110 may be associated with an entitythat provides financial services. For example, financial serviceprovider device 110 may be associated with a bank, credit card issuer,or other type of financial service provider that offers, issues,generates, provides, manages, and/or maintains financial serviceaccounts for one or more users. Financial service accounts may include,for example, credit card accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts,reward accounts, loan accounts (e.g., general purpose credit, such as anunsecured loan, and/or specific credit, such a loan associated with anautomobile, home improvement, mortgage, etc.), and any other types offinancial service account known to those skilled in the art.

Financial service accounts may be associated with electronic accounts,such as an account that may be used to perform electronic transactions,including purchasing goods and/or services online. Financial serviceaccounts may also be associated with one or more financial accountproducts, such as a digital wallet or physical financial service accountcard that a user may carry on their person and use to perform financialservice transactions, such as purchasing goods and/or services at apoint of sale (POS) terminal. For example, a financial account productmay include electronic type of account products, such as a contactlesspayment device/card or other type of product that may be configured towork with a computing system (e.g., payment terminal, mobile device,etc.) to conduct financial transactions. Financial service providerdevice 110 may include infrastructure and components that are configuredto generate and provide financial service accounts and financial accountproducts (e.g., physical credit cards, check cards, mini cards, digitalwallet accounts, etc.). Moreover, as explained, the disclosedembodiments are not limited to financial service accounts or financialservice providers. That is, financial service provider device 110 may,where other types of accounts or products are implemented, be associatedwith an entity that provides those other types of accounts or productsconfigured, activated, and/or controlled in a manner consistent with thedisclosed embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art would understandthat in such implementations, the operations of financial serviceprovider device 110 (and its components) as described herein may varybased on the type of entity and the type of accounts or productsimplemented by the disclosed embodiments.

In one embodiment, financial service provider device 110 may include oneor more computing systems that are configured to execute softwareinstructions stored on one or more memory devices to perform one or moreoperations consistent with the disclosed embodiments. For example,financial service provider device 110 may be configured to executeinstructions to perform a financial account management process,including applying separate interest rates to separate account balanceswithin one financial account.

Financial service provider device 110 may include one or more memorydevice(s) storing data and software instructions and one or moreprocessor(s) configured to use the data and execute the softwareinstructions to perform server-based functions and operations known tothose skilled in the art and related to the function and operations ofthe type of businesses performed by an associated financial serviceprovider (or other type of entity financial service provider device 110may represent). Moreover, in certain embodiments, financial serviceprovider device 110 may be configured to execute software instructionsthat interact with software program(s) stored and executed by clientdevice 120, such as a mobile application that is executed on a mobiledevice.

Financial service provider device 110 may be configured as a particularapparatus, system, and the like based on the storage, execution, and/orimplementation of the software instructions that perform one or moreoperations consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Financial serviceprovider device 110 may be standalone, or it may be part of a subsystem,which may be part of a larger system. For example, financial serviceprovider device 110 may represent distributed servers that are remotelylocated and communicate over a network (e.g., network 140) or adedicated network, such as a LAN, for an associated financial serviceprovider.

Financial service provider device 110 may include or may connect to oneor more storage devices configured to store data and/or softwareinstructions used by one or more processors of financial serviceprovider device 110 to perform operations consistent with disclosedembodiments. For example, financial service provider device 110 mayinclude memory configured to store one or more software programs thatperforms several functions when executed by a processor(s). Thedisclosed embodiments are not limited to separate programs or computersconfigured to perform dedicated tasks. For example, financial serviceprovider device 110 may include memory that stores a single program ormultiple programs. Additionally, financial service provider device 110may execute one or more programs located remotely from financial serviceprovider device 110. For example, financial service provider device 110may access one or more remote programs stored in memory included with aremote component that, when executed, perform operations consistent withthe disclosed embodiments. In certain aspects, financial serviceprovider device 110 may include web server software that generates,maintains, and provides web site(s) that are accessible over networkfinancial service provider device 110. In other aspects, an associatedfinancial service provider may connect separate web server(s) or similarcomputing devices that generate, maintain, and provide web site(s) forfinancial service provider device 110.

Client device 120 may be one or more computing devices that areconfigured to execute software instructions for performing one or moreoperations consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Client device 120may include one or more processors configured to execute softwareinstructions stored in memory, such as memory included in client device120. Client device 120 may also include software that when executed byone or more processors performs known Internet-related communicationsand content display processes. For instance, client device 120 mayexecute browser software that generates and displays interfacesincluding content on a display device included in, or connected to,client device 120. The disclosed embodiments are not limited to anyparticular configuration of client device 120. For instance, clientdevice 120 may be a mobile device that stores and executes mobileapplications that provide financial service related functions offered byfinancial service provider device 110 and/or merchant device 130, suchas a mobile banking application for controlling, configuring, andviewing information relating to financial accounts, etc. In certainembodiments, client device 120 may be configured as a particularapparatus, system, and the like based on the storage, execution, and/orimplementation of the software instructions that perform one or moreoperations consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

In one embodiment, a user 101 may operate client device 120. In oneaspect, user 101 may be a customer or a potential customer of financialservice provider device 110. For instance, a financial service providerassociated with financial service provider device 110 may generate andmaintain a financial service account (e.g., credit card account, a lineof credit, etc.) for user 101 such that user 101 may use the account topurchase goods and/or services online or at brick and mortar locationsassociated with a merchant, such as a merchant associated with merchantdevice 130. In other embodiments, user 101 may be a potential customerof a financial service provider associated with financial serviceprovider device 110 or may not be affiliated with the financial serviceprovider from the user's perspective and/or the financial serviceprovider's perspective.

Merchant device 130 may be associated with an entity that provides goodsand/or services for purchase by consumers (e.g., individuals,businesses, etc.). While FIG. 1 shows one merchant device 130, in system100, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in a system involvingmultiple and different merchants (e.g., a restaurant merchant, a grocerystore merchant, a retail store merchant, etc.) and associated merchantdevices. A merchant associated with merchant device 130 may includebrick and mortar location(s) that a consumer (e.g., user 101) mayphysically visit and purchase goods and services. Such physicallocations may include computing devices that perform financial servicetransactions with consumers (e.g., POS terminal(s), kiosks, etc.). Theymay also include back and/or front-end computing components that storedata and execute software instructions to perform operations consistentwith disclosed embodiments, such as computers that are operated byemployees of a merchant associated with merchant device 130 (e.g., backoffice systems, etc.). In certain embodiments, a merchant associatedwith merchant device 130 may be one or more merchants that provideelectronic shopping mechanisms, such as a website or similar onlinelocation that consumers may access using a computer (e.g., client device120) through browser software or similar software.

In one embodiment, merchant device 130 may be one or more computingdevices configured to execute software instructions stored in memory toperform one or more processes consistent with the disclosed embodiments.For example, merchant device 130 may include one or more memorydevice(s) storing data and software instructions and one or moreprocessor(s) configured to use the data and execute the softwareinstructions to perform server-based functions and operations known tothose skilled in the art. Merchant device 130 (or a system includingmerchant device 130) may be configured as a particular apparatus,system, and the like based on the storage, execution, and/orimplementation of the software instructions that perform one or moreoperations consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Merchant device130 may be standalone, or it may be part of a subsystem, which may bepart of a larger system. For example, merchant device 130 may representdistributed servers that are remotely located and communicate over anetwork (e.g., network 140) or a dedicated network, such as a LAN, for amerchant associated with merchant device 130.

In certain aspects, merchant device 130 may include web server softwarethat generates, maintains, and provides web site(s) for an associatedmerchant that is accessible over network 140. In other aspects, merchantdevice 130 may connect separate to web server(s) or similar computingdevices that generate, maintain, and provide web site(s) for merchantdevice 130. For example, a merchant associated with merchant device 130may use web server(s) that provide a web site specific to the merchant,and allows user 101 to access, view, and purchase goods and/or servicesfrom the merchant.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary financial service provider device 110,consistent with certain disclosed embodiments. In an exemplaryembodiment, financial service provider device 110 may include a server210. While described in association with financial service providerdevice 110, it should be understood that server 210 may be associatedwith another component of system 100, such as client device 120 and/ormerchant device 130.

In one embodiment, server 210 may include one or more processors 221,one or more memories 223, and one or more input/output (I/O) devices222. In certain embodiments, server 210 (or a system including server210) may be configured as a particular apparatus, system, and the likebased on the storage, execution, and/or implementation of the softwareinstructions that perform one or more operations consistent with thedisclosed embodiments. Server 210 may be standalone, or it may be partof a subsystem, which may be part of a larger system.

Processor 221 may include one or more known processing devices, such asa microprocessor from the Pentium™ or Xeon™ family manufactured byIntel™, the Turion™ family manufactured by AMD™, or any of variousprocessors manufactured by Sun Microsystems. The disclosed embodimentsare not limited to any type of processor(s) configured in server 210.

Memory 223 may include one or more storage devices configured to storeinstructions used by processor 221 to perform functions related todisclosed embodiments. For example, memory 223 may be configured withone or more software instructions, such as program(s) 224 that mayperform one or more operations when executed by processor(s) 221. Thedisclosed embodiments are not limited to separate programs or computersconfigured to perform dedicated tasks. For example, memory 223 mayinclude a single program 224 that performs the functions of the server211, or program 224 could comprise multiple programs. Additionally,processor 221 may execute one or more programs located remotely fromserver 211. For example, financial service provider device 110, viaserver 210, may access one or more remote programs that, when executed,perform functions related to certain disclosed embodiments.

Memory 223 may also store data 225 that may reflect any type ofinformation in any format that the system may use to perform operationsconsistent with the disclosed embodiments.

I/O devices 222 may be one or more device that is configured to allowdata to be received and/or transmitted by server 210. I/O devices 222may include one or more digital and/or analog communication devices thatallow server 210 to communicate with other machines and devices, such asother components of systems 100.

Server 210 may also be communicatively connected to one or moredatabase(s) 227. Server 210 may be communicatively connected todatabase(s) 227 through network 140. Database 227 may include one ormore memory devices that store information and are accessed and/ormanaged through server 210. By way of example, database(s) 227 mayinclude Oracle™ databases, Sybase™ databases, or other relationaldatabases or non-relational databases, such as Hadoop sequence files,HBase, or Cassandra. The databases or other files may include, forexample, data and information related to the source and destination of anetwork request, the data contained in the request, etc. Systems andmethods of disclosed embodiments, however, are not limited to separatedatabases. In one aspect, server 210 as exemplified in FIG. 2 mayinclude database 227. Alternatively, database 227 may be locatedremotely from the server 210. Database 227 may include computingcomponents (e.g., database management system, database server, etc.)configured to receive and process requests for data stored in memorydevices of database(s) 227 and to provide data from database 227.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary client device 120 consistent with certaindisclosed embodiments. In one embodiment, client device 120 may includea computing device 310. Computing device 310 may be any type ofcomputing device such as a smartphone, table, laptop, desktop computer,server, etc. In one embodiment, computing device 310 may include one ormore processors 321, one or more memories 323, and one or moreinput/output (I/O) devices 322.

Processor 321 may include one or more known processing devices, such asa microprocessor from the Pentium™ or Xeon™ family manufactured byIntel™, the Turion™ family manufactured by AMD™, or any of variousprocessors manufactured by Sun Microsystems. The disclosed embodimentsare not limited to any type of processor(s) configured in computingdevice 310.

Memory 323 may include one or more storage devices configured to storeinstructions used by processor 321 to perform functions related to thedisclosed embodiments. For example, memory 323 may be configured withone or more software instructions, such as program(s) 324 that mayperform one or more operations when executed by processor 321. Thedisclosed embodiments are not limited to separate programs or computersconfigured to perform dedicated tasks. For example, memory 323 mayinclude a single program 324 that performs the functions of computingdevice 310, or program 324 could comprise multiple programs.Additionally, processor(s) 321 may execute one or more programs locatedremotely from computing device 310. For example, computing device 310may access one or more remote programs that, when executed, performfunctions related to certain disclosed embodiments.

Memory 323 may also store data 325 that may reflect any type ofinformation in any format that the system may use to perform operationsconsistent with the disclosed embodiments.

I/O devices 322 may be one or more device that is configured to allowdata to be received and/or transmitted by server 311. I/O devices 322may include one or more digital and/or analog communication devices thatallow server 311 to communicate with other machines and devices, such asother components of system 100.

In certain embodiments, memory 323 may store a mobile bankingapplication 326. Mobile banking application may be one or more programsor software instructions that, when executed by processor(s) 321,perform one or more mobile banking operations. For example, mobilebanking application 326 may be a mobile application that is stored in amobile device (e.g., computing device 310) that performs operations andgenerates interface(s) that are displayed on a display device ofcomputing device 310. The interface(s) may be configured to presentinformation and provide request(s) that elicit input from user 101.Computing device 310 may be configured with input hardware and softwarecomponents that accept input from user, such as touch screentechnologies, voice input, keypad entry, etc. Mobile banking application326 may be configured to use information associated with the user 101input to generate information, analyze and determine condition(s),generate results based on those condition(s), and provide data andinterface(s) including the data. In certain aspects, mobile bankingapplication 326 may be configured to perform one or more processesconsistent with the disclosed embodiments, such as, for example,providing interfaces to allow user 101 to activate a separate interestrate for an individual transaction.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary financial account managementprocess 400, consistent with disclosed embodiments. In one embodiment,financial service provider device 110 may perform process 400 to managea customer's financial account, including providing a separate accountbalance for an individual transaction. For example, financial serviceprovider device 110 may execute software instructions stored in memoryto perform one or more steps of process 400. It should be understoodhowever, that one or more other computing devices (e.g., client device120 or merchant device 130) may perform one or more steps of process400.

Process 400 may include financial service provider device 110 managing afinancial account held by a customer (step 410). For instance, financialservice provider device 110 may perform one or more processes tocomplete transactions made by the customer using the financial account,maintain account balances, etc. In one example, the financial accountmay be a credit account, such as a credit card account, line of creditaccount, loan, etc. Financial service provider device 110 may completepurchase transactions in which the customer uses credit from thefinancial account to make a payment (e.g., to a merchant via merchantdevice 130) and repayment transactions in which the customer makes apayment into the financial account (e.g., to reduce an amount owed tothe financial service provider). In other words, financial serviceprovider device 110 may maintain an account balance associated with thefinancial account.

Management of the financial account may also include financial serviceprovider device 110 (or another device) charging interest on an accountbalance (e.g., in accordance with terms and conditions associated withthe financial account). For example, financial service provider device110 may periodically (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) calculate aninterest amount based on a state of the financial account, including anaccount balance at the time and an applicable interest rate for thefinancial account. In calculating interest, financial service providerdevice 110 may consider a variety of factors, including whether thefinancial account qualifies for a grace period in which no interestshould be charged (e.g., when the account balance includes onlypurchases made during the most recent billing cycle). Financial serviceprovider device 110 may add the interest amount to the account balance.

Management of the financial account may also include financial serviceprovider device 110 (or another device) providing financial accountinformation to client device 120. For example, financial serviceprovider device 110 may transmit information including an accountbalance, completed transactions, pending transactions, interest charged,recent payment information, minimum payment due, payment due date, etc.Client device 120 may receive and display the information, such asthrough performance of one or more processes associated with a mobilebanking application, a banking website, etc. Financial service providerdevice 110 may receive information (e.g., from client device 120)including instructions for making payments, transferring balances,requests for additional information and/or customer service, etc.

In some embodiments, financial service provider device 110 may providean offer for a separate interest rate service (step 420). For example,financial service provider device 110 may transmit an offer to clientdevice 110. The separate interest rate service may include theapplication of a separate interest rate (e.g., different than the normalinterest rate associated with the financial account) to at least aportion of an account balance (e.g., an amount associated with aselected individual transaction), as will be described herein in moredetail.

In some embodiments, financial service provider device 110 may determinethat a customer is eligible for a separate interest rate service offer.The manner in which a customer may become eligible for a service offeris not limited. In one example, a new customer that opens a newfinancial account may be eligible for one or more separate interest rateservice offers. In another example, a customer may become eligible foran offer as part of a customer service procedure (e.g., provide offersto customers in good standing with the financial service provider,customer's whose promotional rates are set to expire, etc.). In yetanother example, a customer may become eligible based on eligibilitycriteria set by the financial service provider and/or customer.Eligibility criteria may include, for example, one or more of making acertain number of payments on time, spending a certain amount of money,making a certain number of purchases using a financial account,enrolling in digital servicing/paperless statements, etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, financial service provider device 110 mayalso determine one or more terms and/or conditions of the separateinterest rate service offer. The terms and/or conditions of the serviceoffer may indicate how the offer can be redeemed, how the service wouldbe provided, restrictions and/or limitations on its use, and the like.For example, financial service provider device 110 may determine aseparate interest rate, a period of time that the separate interest rateis applicable, any applicable fee, and criteria for a transaction to beeligible for the separate interest rate service. In one example,financial service provider device 110 may determine that a customer iseligible for a 0% interest rate for six months with no fee, applicableto any one future purchase within a set price range. In another example,financial service provider device 110 may determine that a customer iseligible for a 3% interest rate for 12 months with a 1% fee, applicableto any purchases made at qualifying merchants (e.g., restaurants, retailstores, etc.). It should be understood, however, that the terms of theservice offer are not limited and may be any terms that may be appliedto apply a separate interest rate to at least a portion of an accountbalance.

In certain aspects, separate interest rate service offers may beassociated with different criteria for activation. In one example, aseparate interest rate service offer may be activated by customerselection. For instance, a customer may select a transaction (e.g., apreviously-completed transaction, a specific future transaction (e.g.,the next transaction), a future transaction that meets certain criteria,etc.) for application of a separate interest rate thereto. In anotherexample, a separate interest rate service offer may be activatedautomatically, such as by financial service provider device 110. Forinstance, a service offer may be automatically applicable to one or moretransactions that satisfy certain criteria (e.g., a transaction at aparticular merchant, at a particular location, during a particular timeperiod, etc.). Financial service provider device 110 may determineactivation information associated with a separate interest rate serviceoffer, such that the information may be provided to a customer.

In an exemplary embodiment, financial service provider device 110 mayprovide a separate interest rate service offer to client device 120(e.g., via network 140). For example, financial service provider device110 may transmit a notification, such as via text messaging, pushnotifications, e-mail, mobile application, website, etc., to clientdevice 120, the notification identifying a service offer that isavailable to a customer associated with client device 120 (e.g., user101).

The offer may include service offer information, including, for example,terms and conditions of the offer (e.g., separate interest rate,duration separate interest rate is applicable, any associated fees,period of time during which service offer is valid, etc.). In oneembodiment, the service offer information may also include activationinformation (e.g., whether action by the customer is required, whataction is necessary, how a service offer will be automaticallyactivated, etc.).

In some embodiments, financial service provider device 110 may provide aseparate interest rate service offer based on information about clientdevice 120 or an associated customer. In one example, financial serviceprovider device 110 may provide an offer when client device 120 is in aparticular location (e.g., based on location information sent fromclient device 120 to financial service provider device 110). Forinstance, financial service provider device 110 may determine thatclient device 120 is at a particular merchant location and provide anoffer to client device 120 that the customer may be interested in usingat that merchant location.

In another example, financial service provider device 110 may provide anoffer to client device 120 when it is determined that an associatedcustomer is in the process of or has completed a transaction. Forexample, financial service provider device 110 may receive informationindicating that the customer is completing or has completed a purchasetransaction and may provide an offer to client device 120 with theoption of using the offer for the transaction such that a separateinterest rate is applied to that transaction.

Client device 120 may receive a notification and provide a service offerto the customer (e.g., display information via an interface). In thisway a customer may be made aware of a separate interest rate serviceoffer and choose whether to take steps to activate the service offer. Itshould be understood, however, that a service offer may be automaticallyactivated, without input from a customer and/or without the customerbeing made aware of the availability of a service offer (through anotification from financial service provider device 110 or otherwise).

Financial service provider device 110 may also receive separate interestrate selection information (step 430). The separate interest rateselection information may be information indicating that financialservice provider device 110 should provide a separate interest rateservice. In one embodiment, separate interest rate selection informationmay include a notification (e.g., from client device 120) indicatingthat a service offer has been accepted. In an exemplary embodiment, theseparate interest rate selection information may also includeinformation identifying a selected transaction to which the separateinterest rate will be applied.

In one example, the separate interest rate selection information mayinclude information identifying a customer-selected transaction forapplication of the separate interest rate. In another example, theseparate interest rate selection information may include informationidentifying a transaction that satisfies criteria for automaticactivation of a separate interest rate service. For instance, financialservice provider device 110 may receive information associated with acompleted transaction (e.g., a purchase transaction at a merchantassociated with merchant device 130). Financial service provider device110 may compare the information associated with a completed transactionto automatic offer activation criteria to determine whether a separateinterest rate service should be activated and applied to the completedtransaction. For example, financial service provider device 110 mayreceive information associated with a completed transaction with aparticular merchant. Financial service provider device 110 may match theidentity of the particular merchant with automatic offer activationcriteria that indicates that a purchase at that merchant shouldautomatically activate a separate interest rate service applicable tothat transaction.

Financial service provider device 110 may determine an amount forapplication of the separate interest rate service (step 440). Forexample, financial service provider device 110 may determine an amountbased on received separate interest rate selection information. In oneexample, financial service provider device 110 may receive informationassociated with a customer-selected transaction or a transaction thatautomatically activates a separate interest rate service. Based on theinformation, financial service provider device 110 may determine anamount associated with a transaction. For example, the amount may beincluded with the received information and/or determined by financialservice provider device 110 based on stored information.

Financial service provider device 110 may thereafter maintain separatebalances within the one financial account (step 450). For example,financial service provider device 110 may use the amount determined instep 440 and an account balance to create two separate account balancesfor the purposes of applying interest charges. A first account balancemay include the balance of the account for which the default interestrate will be applied, while the second account balance may include theamount receiving a different interest rate (e.g., more favorable to thecustomer). In this way, an amount of a selected transaction may beseparated from the rest of the financial account for the purposes ofapplying a separate interest rate.

In maintaining the first and second account balances, financial serviceprovider device 110 may apply a first interest rate to the first accountbalance and apply a second interest rate to the second account balance.In one example, the first interest rate may be the standard interestrate associated with the financial account, while the second interestrate may be the separate interest rate that was determined as part ofthe separate interest rate service offer. In an exemplary embodiment,the second interest rate is more favorable from the customer'sperspective (e.g., a lower rate than the first interest rate for acredit account). In this way, a calculated interest amount will be lessthan it would otherwise be if the first interest rate were applied to atotal account balance.

Financial service provider device 110 may apply the first and secondinterest rates to the first and second account balances to calculate aninterest amount to be charged to the customer. For example, financialservice provider device 110 may calculate a first interest amount basedon the first account balance and the first interest rate and calculate asecond interest amount based on the second account balance and thesecond interest rate. It should be understood however, that if thesecond interest rate is 0%, financial service provider device 110 mayapply the second interest rate to the second account balance withoutperforming any calculations (e.g., by not charging interest associatedwith the second account balance).

Financial service provider device 110 may periodically calculate firstand second interest amounts and add them to the first and/or secondaccount balances. For example, financial service provider device may addthe first interest amount to the first account balance and add thesecond interest amount to the second account balance, add the first andsecond interest amounts to the first account balance, or other processfor charging interest.

Financial service provider device 110 may further maintain the separatebalances by applying one or more payments to lower one or more of thefirst and second balances. For example, a customer may make a paymentapplied to the financial account that does not cover both the fullbalance of the account. Financial service provider device 110 mayallocate the payment such that the first balance becomes completely paidwhile any remainder of the payment is applied to the second balance, andfinancial service provider device 110 may update the first and secondbalances accordingly.

Financial service provider device 110 may similarly update the first andsecond account balances based on subsequently-completed transactions.For example, financial service provider device 110 may add an amountassociated with a subsequently-completed transaction to the firstaccount balance, unless the transaction is also associated with aseparate account balance offer, in which the amount of the transactionis added to the second account balance (or third, fourth, etc. accountbalance, as the case may be) for application of the separate interestrate(s).

In an exemplary embodiment, financial service provider device 110 may beconfigured such that, in maintaining separate balances, one balance willnot have an effect on a benefit that may be otherwise obtained if thebalance did not exist. For example, a customer may receive a graceperiod benefit associated with payments on the first account balance,even if a balance is carried as the second account balance. For example,as is typical for a standard credit card account, a grace period benefitprevents interest from being charged on transactions within amost-recent billing period, as long as the account was paid in fullduring the previous billing period. In an exemplary embodiment,financial service provider device 110 may provide a grace period benefit(e.g., not charge interest on the first account balance), as long as thefirst account balance remains eligible (e.g., payments cover alltransactions that were made during the most recent billing cycle andadded to the first account balance).

In some embodiments, additional or alternative benefits may beassociated with the second account balance. In one embodiment, financialservice provider device 110 may provide a credit limit benefit in whichthe second account balance is exempted from a determination of availablecredit. For example, an amount associated with the second accountbalance may not count against the overall account's credit line (e.g.,only purchases associated with the first account balance count fordetermination of available credit remaining). In this way, a customermay use a separate interest rate service for a purchase that they wouldotherwise not be able to make due to their credit limit.

In some embodiments, financial service provider device 110 may determinethat a separate interest rate service has expired (step 460). Forexample, if a second account balance becomes paid in full, financialservice provider device 110 may cease maintaining separate accountbalances. In another example, a separate interest rate service mayexpire at an end of a period of time associated with the service. Forinstance, if a separate interest rate service extended six months, theservice would expire if the second account balance were not paid in fullat the end of the six months. At that time, financial service providerdevice may add the remaining second account balance to the first accountbalance and subsequently charge interest on the single account balanceby applying the first interest rate (e.g., the standard interest rateassociated with the financial account). In some embodiments, financialservice provider device 110 may send a reminder to client device 120 toinform the customer that the separate interest rate service will expire.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary service activation process 500,consistent with disclosed embodiments. In one embodiment, client device120 may perform process 500 to activate and/or accept a separateinterest rate service offer. For example, client device 120 may executesoftware instructions stored in memory to perform one or more steps ofprocess 500. It should be understood, however, that one or more othercomputing devices (e.g., financial service provider device 110 ormerchant device 130) may perform one or more steps of process 500.

In an exemplary embodiment, client device 120 may receive a separateinterest rate service offer (step 510) from, for example, financialservice provider device 110. In one example, client device 120 mayreceive a separate interest rate service offer from financial serviceprovider device 110 and display the received information via anassociated user interface. For example, client device 120 may displayterms and conditions of the service offer (e.g., the separate interestrate, duration the separate interest rate and to which purchases it willapply, any fees, etc.) and/or activation information (e.g., informationindicating how the service offer can be activated such as, for example,the customer-selecting of a transaction for the separate interest rateand/or automatic offer activation criteria). Client device 120 mayreceive the separate interest rate offer in any manner, such as by textmessaging, push notifications, email, etc.

Client device 120 may also perform one or more steps to activate theseparate interest rate service. In one example where a separate interestrate is applied to a customer-selected transaction, client device 120may display or otherwise provide financial account information (step520). For example, client device 120 may display a list ofpreviously-completed financial transactions associated with a financialaccount. In one embodiment, client device 120 (or financial serviceprovider device 110) may determine which of a plurality transactionsassociated with a financial account are eligible for a separate interestrate service and client device 120 may display those transactions.

Client device 120 may thereafter receive transaction selectioninformation (step 530). For example, client device 120 may receive aselection from the plurality of displayed transactions. Client device120 may receive the selection from a customer (e.g., user 101) via anassociated user interface.

Client device 120 may transmit transaction selection information tofinancial service provider device 110 (step 540). The transactionselection information may identify the transaction the customer hasselected to have a separate interest rate offer applied thereto. Thetransaction selection information may include an amount of thetransaction, which may be the amount financial service provider device110 determines as the amount to be placed in a separate account balance.Financial service provider device 110 may subsequently maintain separateaccount balances, as described herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, client device 120 may provide accountinformation that includes the separate account balances (step 550). Forexample, as financial service provider device 110 maintains the separateaccount balances, financial service provider device 110 may send accountinformation to client device 120, which client device 120 may display.The account information may include up-to-date account balancesassociated with the separate balances, interest charged, duration ofseparate interest rate, expiration of separate interest rate, paymentinformation, etc. In this way, client device 120 may provide financialaccount information associated with separated balances to inform acustomer about the state of their financial account, including the stateof an activated separate interest rate service.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary data structure associated withan exemplary separate interest rate service offer 610, consistent withdisclosed embodiments. In one embodiment, financial service providerdevice 110 may store offer 610 in a memory device and/or provide offer610 to client device 120.

Financial service provider device 110 and/or client device 120 maygenerate and store data in association with offer 610, the dataincluding information that defines offer 610. For example, offer 610 mayinclude service offer data 620, transaction eligibility data 630, and/oractivation data 640. It should be understood that, however, thatalternative and/or additional types of data may be stored as part ofoffer 610. Financial service provider device 110 and/or client device110 may perform one or more processes based on the data stored inassociation with offer 610.

In an exemplary embodiment, service offer data 620 may includeinformation that includes the terms of the separate interest rateservice offer. For example, service offer data 620 may include theseparate interest rate to be applied (e.g., 0%), the period of time thatthe separate interest rate will apply (e.g., six months), and any feesassociated with the offer. Financial service provider device 110 mayreceive and store service offer data 620 and provide service offer data620 to client device 120 for display to inform the customer of theparameters of the service being offered.

In an exemplary embodiment, transaction eligibility data 630 may includeinformation that sets forth the criteria for a transaction to beeligible for offer 610. For example, transaction eligibility data 630may include data indicating that any previously-completed transactionmade using a particular financial account is eligible. In anotherexample, transaction eligibility data 630 may include criteria for atransaction to be eligible, such as a list of eligible merchants,transaction amounts, time periods during which the transaction occurred,etc. In some embodiments, financial service provider device 110 and/orclient device 120 may compare transaction eligibility data 630 toinformation associated with a transaction to determine whether atransaction is eligible.

In an exemplary embodiment, activation data 640 may include informationthat defines how offer 610 is activated. For example, activation data640 may include data that indicates that offer 610 is activated based oncustomer selection of a transaction. In another example, activation data640 may include data that indicates that offer 610 is automaticallyactivated when an eligible transaction is completed. Financial serviceprovider device 110 may determine that an eligible transaction wascompleted based on information associated with a completed transactionand transaction eligibility data 630, for instance.

FIG. 7A is another block diagram of an exemplary data structureassociated with a financial account 710 before a separate interest rateservice offer (e.g., offer 610) is activated, consistent with disclosedembodiments. In one embodiment, financial service provider device 110may store financial account 710 in a memory device and perform one ormore processes to maintain financial account 710.

In an exemplary embodiment, financial account 710 may include an accountrecord 720. Account record 720 may include data associated withmanagement of financial account 710, including debits and creditsassociated with financial account 710 (e.g., payments made usingfinancial account 710, payments into financial account 710, and interestcharges associated with financial account 710). For example, accountrecord 720 may include transactions 730, an interest rate 740, and anaccount balance 750.

In an exemplary embodiment, transactions 730 may include transactions730A, 730B, and 730C. Each transaction 730A, 730B, and 730C may be anindividual transaction that was completed with financial account 710.For example, transaction 730A may be a purchase transaction completedwith a merchant associated with merchant device 130. Transaction 730Amay include data that defines the purchase transaction, such as merchantdata 732, purchase data 734, and/or time/date/location data 736.Merchant data 732 may include information that identifies a merchantassociated with merchant device 130 with which the transaction wascompleted. Purchase data 734 may include, for example, an amount of thetransaction, items purchase, individual cost of items purchased, etc.Time/date/location data 736 may include information that identifies whenand where the purchase transaction occurred. While not shown,transactions 730B and/or 730C may include similar information associatedwith the underlying transactions respectively associated withtransactions 730B and 730C.

Interest rate 740 may be an interest rate associated with financialaccount 710 and financial record 720. For example, interest rate 740 maybe a standard interest rate that is applied to all transactions (priorto activation of a separate interest rate offer) for which interest isto be applied. Interest rate 740 may be fixed or variable, depending onterms and conditions associated with financial account 710.

Account balance 750 may include data that identifies an up-to-datebalance associated with financial account 710. For example, astransactions are completed and added to financial record 720, financialservice provider device 110 may perform one or more processes todetermine account balance 750. This may include financial serviceprovider device 110 adding to account balance 750 any transactions madeusing financial account 710 and any periodic interest associated withfinancial record 720 and subtracting any transactions that includepayments into financial account 710.

FIG. 7B is another exemplary data structure associated with financialaccount 710 after a separate interest rate service offer is activated,consistent with disclosed embodiments. As described herein, a separateinterest rate service offer may be activated in a variety of manners,some of which are further described below.

In one example, financial service provider device 110 may activate aseparate interest rate service offer based on a customer selection. Forinstance, financial service provider device 110 may provide offer 610 toclient device 120. Client device 120 may display information associatedwith offer 610 to allow a customer to choose whether to accept offer610. For example, client device 120 may display a list of transactionsthat are eligible for offer 610. Financial service provider device 110and/or client device 120 may determine the list of transactions based oninformation associated with the transactions (e.g., data 732, 734, 736)and information associated with eligibility of transactions (e.g.,transaction eligibility data 630). Client device 120 may displayeligible transactions, receive a selection, and transmit the selectionto financial service provider device 110. Financial service providerdevice 110 may activate offer 610 based on receipt of the selection andactivation data 640. In some embodiments, client device 120 may displayonly one transaction and request that the customer choose whether toaccept or decline offer 610 in associated with that transaction.

In another example, financial service provider device 110 may activate aseparate interest rate service offer automatically. For instance, aftera transaction is completed, financial service provider device maycompare transaction information (e.g., data 732, 734, 736) totransaction eligibility data 630 to determine if a transaction iseligible. If a transaction is eligible, financial service providerdevice 110 may check activation data 740 to determine if offer 610should be automatically activated for eligible transactions. If so,financial service provider device 110 may automatically activate offer610 for the selected transaction. In one example, a merchant associatedwith merchant device 130 and a financial service provider associatedwith financial service provider device 110 may have an agreement thatallows automatic activation of a separate interest rate service fortransactions made with that merchant. Financial service provider device110 may match merchant data included with transaction information tomerchant data included with transaction eligibility data 630 to findthese transactions and activate offer 610.

In one embodiment, financial service provider device 110 may continue tomaintain financial account 710 after the separate interest rate serviceoffer is activated to maintain separate account balances associated withthe separate interest rates. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, aseparate interest rate service offer was accepted to apply a separateinterest rate to transaction 730B.

In one embodiment, after a separate interest rate service offer isactivated, financial service provider device 110 may generate a separatefinancial record 760. Separate financial record 760 may includeinformation that allows a separate interest rate to be applied based onactivation of the offer. For example, separate financial record 760 mayinclude information associated with one or more transactions 730 thatwere selected for application of the separate interest rate (e.g., inthis case transaction 730B). The information may include an amount ofthe transaction. In addition, separate financial record 760 may includethe separate interest rate 770 and separate account balance 780.

Separate interest rate 770 may be the separate interest rate that isassociated with the separate interest rate service offer that wasaccepted. For example, separate interest rate 770 may be an interestrate found in service offer data 620 of offer 610 (e.g., 0%). Separateaccount balance 780 may be an account balance associated only withfinancial record 760. For example, separate account balance 780 mayinitially include an amount associated with transaction 730B. Financialservice provider device 110 may update separate account balance 780 overtime based on additional transactions (e.g., additional transactionsthat are associated with service offers, interest charges, customerpayments, etc.).

As described above, when a separate interest rate service offer isaccepted and activated, financial service provider device 110 maymaintain separate account balances 750, 780 associated with separateinterest rates 740, 770 within a single financial account 710. In thisway, financial service provider device 110 (or another device) may applya separate interest rate to an individual transaction (e.g., transaction730B) made using a financial account (e.g., financial account 710) thatotherwise has an interest rate associated therewith. In an exemplaryembodiment, financial service provider 110 device may be furtherconfigured to recombine separate account balances 750, 780, such asafter a period of time associated with the separate interest rateservice offer expires.

The disclosed embodiments enable a customer to use a financial accountand receive a separate, lower interest rate on individual transactions.This obviates the need for the customer to perform another task (e.g.,open a new account, transfer an account balance, etc.) to obtain apromotional benefit. Further, disclosed systems and methods allow afinancial service provider to provide and maintain separate balanceswithin one financial account, while not affecting benefits (e.g., graceperiod benefits) that the customer would otherwise receive. Thedisclosed embodiments allow a customer to use a single financial accountfor different purchases, such as everyday purchases and large purchases,thereby simplifying management of the customer's finances.

The exemplary disclosed embodiments describe systems and methods forproviding a separate interest rate to an individual transaction. Theforegoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration.It is not exhaustive and is not limited to the precise forms orembodiments disclosed. Modifications and adaptations of the embodimentswill be apparent from consideration of the specification and practice ofthe disclosed embodiments. For example, the described implementationsinclude hardware and software, but systems and methods consistent withthe present disclosure can be implemented in hardware alone.Furthermore, although the above description primarily refers to afinancial service provider making determinations regarding the secondarybenefits of its customers, one of skill in the art would appreciate thatdisclosed embodiments are not limited to the financial industry and maybe employed in other fields.

Computer programs based on the written description and methods of thisspecification are within the skill of a software developer. The variousprograms or program modules can be created using a variety ofprogramming techniques. For example, program sections or program modulescan be designed in or by means of Java, C, C++, assembly language, orany such programming languages. One or more of such software sections ormodules can be integrated into a computer system, computer-readablemedia, or existing communications software.

Moreover, while illustrative embodiments have been described herein, thescope includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements,modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across variousembodiments), adaptations or alterations based on the presentdisclosure. The elements in the claims are to be interpreted broadlybased on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examplesdescribed in the present specification or during the prosecution of theapplication, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.Further, the steps of the disclosed methods can be modified in anymanner, including by reordering steps or inserting or deleting steps. Itis intended, therefore, that the specification and examples beconsidered as example only, with a true scope and spirit being indicatedby the following claims and their full scope of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing a service associated withan account having an account balance and an associated first interestrate, comprising: a service device configured to modify an account basedon a communication with a client device, the service device comprising:one or more memory devices storing instructions; and one or moreprocessors configured to execute the instructions to: provide a separateinterest rate service offer to the client device; receive a separateinterest rate selection from the client device; determine, by the one ormore processers, a selected portion of the account balance correspondingto an amount to which a second interest rate, different from the firstinterest rate, is to be applied based on the separate interest rateselection.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the separate interest rateselection includes an indication of a customer-selected transaction froma plurality of financial transactions associated with the financialaccount.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein determining the selectedportion of the account balance includes determining an amount of thecustomer-selected transaction.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein: theseparate interest rate selection includes transaction informationassociated with a previously-completed transaction, and the one or moreprocessors are further configured to execute the instructions to:determine that the transaction information satisfies automatic offeractivation criteria, and determine an amount of the previously-completedtransaction.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the automatic offeractivation criteria includes a merchant at which transactionsautomatically qualify for a separate interest rate service.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the separate interest rate service offerincludes terms associated with the separate interest rate service offer.7. The system of claim 6, wherein the terms include identification ofthe second interest rate and a period of time that the second interestrate would apply.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the terms includecriteria for a transaction to be eligible for a separate interest rateservice.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein: a remainder portion of theaccount balance is a first balance and the selected portion is a secondbalance, and the one or more processors are further configured toexecute the instructions to: apply the first interest rate to the firstaccount balance; and apply the second interest rate to the secondaccount balance.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to execute the instructions to providea grace period benefit based on a state of the first account balance.11. The system of claim 9, wherein the second interest rate is 0%. 12.The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured to execute the instructions to exempt the second accountbalance from a determination of available credit associated with thefinancial account.
 13. A computer-implemented method for providing aservice associated with an account having an account balance and anassociated first interest rate, comprising: providing, from a servicedevice, a separate interest rate service offer to a client device;receiving, at the service device, a customer-selected transaction fromthe client device; determining, by the service device, a selectedportion of the account balance based on an amount of thecustomer-selected transaction, wherein a remainder portion of theaccount balance is a first balance and the selected portion is a secondbalance; applying the first interest rate to the first balance; andapplying a second interest rate to the second balance.
 14. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 13, further including determiningthat a customer is eligible for the separate interest rate serviceoffer.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein the oneor more processors are further configured to execute the instructions toprovide a grace period benefit based on a state of the first accountbalance.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein thesecond interest rate is 0%.
 17. A computing device for configuring afinancial account having an account balance and an associated firstinterest rate, comprising: one or more memory devices storing softwareinstructions; a user interface; and one or more processors configured toexecute the software instructions to: provide, by the user interface,financial account information including a plurality of transactions;receive a selection of one of the plurality of transactions; andtransmit the selection to a financial service provider device, whereinthe selection indicates an amount to which a second interest rate,different from the first interest rate, is to be applied by a financialservice provider device.
 18. The computing device of claim 17, whereinthe one or more processors is further configured to execute theinstructions to receive a separate interest rate service offer from afinancial service provider device, and provide, by the user interface,information associated with the separate interest rate service offer.19. The computing device of claim 18, wherein the information associatedwith the separate interest rate service offer includes: the secondinterest rate, a period of time that the second interest rate wouldapply, and criteria for a transaction to be eligible for a separateinterest rate service.
 20. The computing device of claim 18, wherein theinformation associated with the separate interest rate service offerincludes activation information that indicates how to activate aseparate interest rate service.